Wednesday’s NHL Stanley Cup Betting Preview and Odds
Sidney Crosby was in the midst of another memorable playoff run before a cross-check to the head has the Penguins' superstar in an all-to-familiar place: the NHL's concussion protocol.
Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins (+105, 5)
Pens lead series 2-1
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (60-21-5-5, 40-36 O/U): While a significant portion of the spotlight rests with Matt Niskanen and his role in Crosby's concussion, fellow defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk finally saw a positive light in the playoffs with his power-play goal 3:13 into overtime on Monday. The prized in-season acquisition had been called more derogatory names than most politicians after entering Game 3 with a league-worst minus-seven rating in eight playoff contests. Nicklas Backstrom has enjoyed more consistent success with a goal and an assist in back-to-back contests to give him a team-best 10 points (four goals, six assists) in nine games.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (56-22-7-5, 51-34 O/U): Sidney Crosby was in the midst of another memorable playoff run before a cross-check to the head has the Penguins' transcendent superstar in an all-to-familiar place: the NHL's concussion protocol. The 29-year-old's history of concussions is well-chronicled, and the latest chapter was written after he was blasted early in the first period of Monday's 3-2 overtime loss by Washington defenseman and former Penguin Matt Niskanen. While Crosby remains the face of the league, fellow former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in eight playoff games and is no stranger to picking up the slack in the absence of "Sid the Kid." "(Malkin) is an elite player. He has that ability," Sullivan said. "We're going to rely on him that much more, and we believe he'll get the job done for us. I don't think the burden falls on him solely." Fellow forward Phil Kessel is the next man up both figuratively and literally, as the 29-year-old's 12 points trail only Malkin in the league.
LINE HISTORY: The Penguins opened as -115 favorites however news of Crosby's confirmed absence sent bettors clamoring for the Capitals, dropping the Pens to +105 dogs. The total opened at 5.5 and was dropped to 5 without Crosby in the lineup.
INJURY REPORT:
Capitals - No injuries to report.
Penguins - LW C. Sheary (Questionable, concussion), D C. Ruhwedel (Questionable, upper body), C S. Crosby (Out, concussion), G M. Murray (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D K. Letang (Out For Season, neck).
TRENDS:
* Capitals are 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
* Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 Conference Semifinals games.
* Under is 9-1-3 in Capitals last 13 vs. Metropolitan.
* Under is 4-1-1 in Penguins last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Capitals are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers (-120, 5.5)
Oilers lead series 2-1
ABOUT THE DUCKS (51-25-10-3, 31-38 O/U): The Anaheim Ducks have made themselves at home in the relatively cool Alberta air this postseason, and the five-time reigning Pacific Division champions can breathe new life into their Western Conference second-round series should they continue that dominance in Wednesday's Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks doused the Flames in both encounters in Calgary during the first-round series and improved to 3-0 in Alberta with Sunday's 6-3 triumph in Edmonton. Anaheim's walking wounded tag was taken to the extreme as forward Patrick Eaves was seen wearing a walking boot following Game 3 on the heels of a neutral-zone collision with former Duck Patrick Maroon in the third period. The 33-year-old Eaves joined defenseman Kevin Bieksa (lower body) in the stands during Tuesday's battle drills, with his availability to play in Game 4 depending greatly on if he's able to skate on Wednesday morning, coach Randy Carlyle said. Bieksa's status is much clearer as he will miss his third straight contest on Wednesday.
ABOUT THE OILERS (53-28-5-5, 36-46 O/U): Edmonton captain Connor McDavid schooled Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen while scoring a highlight-reel goal in Game 3 for his second point in the series and sixth in the playoffs, but his minus-2 rating on Sunday shows that the 20-year-old still can learn a thing or two in the eyes of coach Todd McLellan. "He (McDavid) like everybody else is learning and we'll sit with him." Ryan Nugent-Hopkins finished the regular-season with nine points in his last nine games before seeing his offense dry up in the postseason. "I feel like I've had a lot of chances. ... I'm close, but I've got to find a way to take the next step." said the top overall pick of the 2011 draft , who was held off the scoresheet in the first round versus San Jose before notching an assist in the first two contests against Anaheim. Fellow former first-round pick Jordan Eberle is also struggling, setting up two goals in nine playoff games after recording six points (four goals, two assists) in his final four regular-season contests.
LINE HISTORY: The Oilers opened as -125 home favorites for Game 4 and that moneyline came down slightly to -120 by Tuesday evening. The total opened at 5.5 and will, most likely, not move off that number.
INJURY REPORT:
Ducks - RW P. Eaves (Doubtful, lower body), D K. Bieksa (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D S. Despres (Out Indefinitely, concussion), D C. Stoner (Out Indefinitely, abdominal).
Oilers - D A. Ference (Out For Season, hip), RW T. Pitlick (Out For Season, knee).
TRENDS:
* Ducks are 7-1 in their last 8 games following a win.
* Oilers are 11-2 in their last 13 home games.
* Under is 5-1-2 in Ducks last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.
* Under is 8-2-1 in Oilers last 11 games playing on 2 days rest.
* Ducks are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings in Edmonton.
